This does sound like a removal order, if you can obtain a copy from the NDRO it may give you all sorts of information. A potted history of the father to establish his parish of settlement - in this case Beaford. Families moved around as they obtained work but if they lost the job, for whatever reasons, they could find themselves homeless as often the cottage went with the job (Tied Cottages). It was then the job of the parish Overseers of the Poor to "examine" each case to determine where the responsibility for helping the family, lay. It is these examinations that survive and they are very interesting. Roz Hickman OPC Otterton, Colaton Raleigh, Harpford and Bicton